Hypocrisy In Shirley Jackson's The Lottery

“The Lottery” is a short story written by Shirley Jackson. It was originally published in 1948. This is a few years after the end of World War Two, which probably influenced Jackson into writing this short story. “The Lottery “was very different from anything that had been published in America up to this point. Shirley Jackson incorporated a couple of themes into the story that she felt, needed to be exposed so society could better itself. Out of all of them, the main theme of “The Lottery” is hypocrisy because of the character’s words and actions, the unknown origin of the lottery, and the ending of the story. The character’s words and actions are very clear at showing why the main theme of this story is hypocrisy. A prime example is after it is revealed that the Hutchinson’s got the marked paper and Ms. Hutchison says; “You didn’t give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn’t fair!” (Jackson 5). She is being at hypocrite at the fact that earlier she was rushing to the event because she did not want to miss it but now she is against it because her family won the

The ending could also be ironic because in most cases winning a lottery is a good thing but in the event of the story it’s not favorable because if you win you die. As said by Shmoop, “The Lottery" explores sudden shifts in opinion and loyalties – in other words, hypocrisy (Shmoop Editorial Team). These is seen at the end when Tessie wants her daughters to draw too so she can avoid being picked, ““There’s Don and Eva,” Mrs. Hutchison yelled. “Make them take their chance!” (Jackson 5). Also, the very last line of the story which says, ““It isn’t fair, it isn’t right,” Mrs. Hutchison screamed, and then they were upon her” (Jackson 7). This is very hypocritical of Tessie because at the beginning of the story she was rushing to make it in time to the lottery because she didn’t want to miss